Meet Megan Duffy

Meghan Duffy was a vibrant young girl who was diagnosed at the age of 10 with Metastatic Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Meghan was an upbeat happy girl with quick wit. She truly enjoyed art. She was incredible at drawing, and even created the Pedal for Pediatrics Logo when she was about 5 years old. The picture came about because her father was riding in the Pan Mass Challenge and she was so proud of him. During her treatment, Meghan took advantage of the art therapy programs at Boston Children’s Hospital. Her art work is displayed at her elementary school library, which was named for her in 2008, a year after her passing at the age of 11.

Meghan and her parents, Frank and Colleen.

Though Meghan was young, she had such a big heart. One of her biggest concerns during her treatment wasn’t her condition, it was the fact that some parents weren’t able to stay with their children due to their financial situation. Being determined, Meghan and her friend Maddy Thursby started a Pedal Power Kids Bike Ride. Inspired by her father who rode in the PMC, Meghan and Maddy decided it would be a great idea to start their own. It was a 5-mile bike ride for children of all ages taking place in North Attleboro, Ma. In its first year over $30,000 was raised for the Pedals for Pediatrics team. Her father had been riding since 2001, and that year opted to join to Pedals for Pediatrics team after talking with Lisa Morrissey.

After Meghan's passing, her parents created The Meghan K. Duffy Memorial Foundation which has helped out families in many ways. The Foundation funds dinners at Children’s Hospital for families whose children are patients of the Jimmy Fund Clinic at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and provides $500 grants for newly diagnosed families who live in the area. Also, the Foundation supports technology grants for computer equipment at the Martin Elementary School in North Attleboro. And this year provided more than $30,000 in college scholarship grants to her classmates who graduated from local high schools. How amazing.

Meghan we can’t thank you enough for having such a big heart and willingness to help others. If you would like to learn more about Meghan, check out the Foundation's web page: www.meghankduffyfoundation.org.